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Lake Effect Martial Arts

4.8 ★★★★★ 55 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Depew, New York

Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Private lessons Competition team

Plan your first class

  • Beginner-friendly all fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
  • Cardio kickboxing classes high-energy cardio kickboxing on the bags and pads — a fun, sweaty workout built for fitness and weight loss, at your own pace
  • Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule lakeeffectbjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 716-395-3451

Hours

Monday 6:30–8 am, 5–8:30 pm
Tuesday 6:30–8 am, 12:30–2 pm, 7–8:30 pm
Wednesday 6:30–8 am, 5–8:30 pm
Thursday 6:30–8 am, 12:30–2 pm, 5:30–8 pm
Friday 6:30–8 am, 5:30–7:45 pm
Saturday 9:30 am–12:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays and class-schedule changes — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Kickboxing classes on the schedule at Lake Effect Martial Arts, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 5 mentions

“If you are looking for great life development of your kids or nephews/nieces look no further.”

All gyms that run kids kickboxing →

🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“This gym is great for people who never trained before to those with years of experience.”

All gyms that run beginners →

🏆 Competition Team

“Lake Effect Martial Art is the place to train whether you want to compete at the highest level or just get in shape!”

All gyms that run competition team →

🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“Boxing coach Mike is great.”

All gyms that run boxing →

Other martial arts here

Kickboxing gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Lake Effect Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“Boxing coach Mike is great.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 16 mentions

“I’ve lived and trained jiu jitsu in New York City, Pittsburgh PA, Toronto Canada and Frankfurt Germany for Work at some of the most regarded Jiu Jitsu academies in the country.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want muay thai, boxing, or MMA alongside your kickboxing, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 55 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, motivating coaching 2 mentions

“Everyone at LEMA has been very welcoming and it is a great place to learn from knowledgeable coaches.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 14 mentions

“I had my first class with Lake Effect Martial Arts last night leaving sore and excited to continue training.”

💦 killer cardio workout 2 mentions

“I started jiu jitsu there last year and at 43 years old it's gotten me in the best shape of my life.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 6 mentions

“Gym was very clean, spacious and well appointed with timers, cubbies, seating and changing space.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 16 mentions

“I came in as a black belt from another school and was not only immediately welcomed with open arms but part of the family atmosphere that is a staple when training here.”

From the reviews

I’m new to BJJ, 41, and not in the best of shape. I was nervous getting going but am very happy I did here at LEMA. So far, a couple classes in and the Professors I’ve had the pleasure of working with are knowledgeable, helpful, and inclusive.

★★★★★ — J, Mar 2022

I was in town for work and Michael welcomed me to join any session that worked for my 42 year old white belt self which happened to be a 6:30am intro session on a cold November morning. Gym was very clean, spacious and well appointed with timers, cubbies, seating and changing space.

★★★★★ — Daniel, Nov 2019

I had my first class with Lake Effect Martial Arts last night leaving sore and excited to continue training. The atmosphere is welcoming and hardworking gathering a group of likeminded people looking to push beyond their perceived physical and mental boundaries which is totally what I’m into.

★★★★★ — Ryan, Mar 2022

I did a lot of home work and research before visiting any of the BJJ gyms in the Buffalo area and decided to reach out to Lake Effect a few months back. Professor Michael did a great job communicating with me, scheduled a visit to the gym, and spent the appropriate time answering any questions that I had.

★★★★★ — Mike, Dec 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 55 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Lake Effect Martial Arts

Lake Effect Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first kickboxing class at Lake Effect Martial Arts

Nervous about walking into a kickboxing gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Kickboxing is a contact sport. Warm up, pace yourself, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Lake Effect Martial Arts

2106 George Urban Blvd, Depew, NY14043

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.